Wireless communications control in a controlled environment facility

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods which facilitate wireless communications within a controlled environment in a controlled manner are shown. Embodiments operate to recognize wireless communications terminating within a controlled environment facility and control one or more aspects of the communications. Embodiments also operate to detect wireless devices disposed within a controlled environment facility and determine the location of the wireless devices. Embodiments deploy one or more wireless communication nodes in communication with an information processing platform operating in association with the controlled environment facility, such that wireless devices detected by the wireless communication nodes are located by the call processing platform and wireless communications passing through the wireless communication nodes are subject to call processing by the information processing platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending,commonly assigned, patent application Ser. No. 11/356,734, entitled“Wireless Communications Control In A Controlled Environment Facility,”filed Feb. 17, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference. The present application is related to co-pendingand commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/135,878entitled “Information Management and Movement System and Method,” filedApr. 29, 2002, Ser. No. 10/642,532 entitled “Centralized CallProcessing,” filed Aug. 15, 2003, Ser. No. 10/720,732 entitled“Information Management and Movement System and Method,” filed Nov. 24,2003, Ser. No. 10/720,848 entitled “Information Management and MovementSystem and Method,” filed Nov. 24, 2003, Ser. No. 11/182,625 entitled“Systems and Methods for Acquiring, Accessing, and AnalyzingInvestigative Information,” filed Jul. 15, 2005, Ser. No. 10/646,638entitled “System and Method for Remote Call Forward Detection andTreatment,” filed Aug. 22, 2003, Ser. No. 10/360,248 entitled “Systemand Method for Account Establishment and Transaction Management usingInterrupt Messaging,” filed Feb. 7, 2003, and Ser. No. 10/360,442entitled “Systems and Methods for Transaction AuthorizationDetermination,” filed Feb. 7, 2003 the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wireless communications and,more particularly, to controlling wireless communications in acontrolled environment facility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Controlled environment facilities, such as prison facilities, hospitals,nursing homes, and camps, often implement a certain amount of controlwith respect to various activities and transactions involving residentsthereof. For example, communications into or out of such controlledenvironment facilities may be controlled, monitored, redirected, and/orinterrupted at the direction of controlled environment facilitymanagement for security and/or business reasons.

In a prison facility, for example, telephone calls to and from inmatesare typically tightly controlled and closely monitored. Accordingly,various call processing platforms have been implemented through whichinmate calls into and out of a prison facility are controlled, recorded,and monitored. Such call processing platforms generally comprise anumber of ports through which telephone trunks of the public switchedtelephone network (PSTN) are coupled to analog telephone linesassociated with telephone terminals disposed in inmate accessible areasof the prison facility. Before one of the telephone terminals disposedin inmate accessible areas of the prison facility are placed incommunication with the PSTN, logic of the call processing platform willmake a validation determination with respect to whether the call is tobe connected, such as to determine if calls are allowed at the time ofthe call, if calls are allowed to or from the particular telephoneterminal, etcetera.

Wireless communications devices, such as cellular telephones, provide ameans by which residents of a controlled environment facility mayestablish communications which do not pass through a call processingplatform of the controlled environment facility. For example, althoughdisposed within the confines of a prison facility, an inmate may use acellular telephone to call an individual outside of the prison facilitywithout the call being detected or controlled by a prison facility callprocessing platform. It is believed that between 1-10% of all callsbeing completed from prison facilities in the United States arepresently being made using contraband cellular telephones. Such callsmay present a security risk, may defeat a business goal of thecontrolled environment facility, etcetera.

For example, calls from contraband wireless devices are not beingrecorded, monitored, or controlled. Accordingly, there is a potentialfor harassment with calls being made to restricted numbers (e.g.,victims, witnesses, judges, etcetera), the coordination ofexternal/internal illegal business operations from within the facility,gang activity being coordinated from within facilities, riots or otheractivities being coordinated within and between facilities, and/or thegeneral loss of command and control by facility leadership. Without thecalls being monitored and recorded, calls made with contraband wirelessdevices reduce the effectiveness of the investigatory process.

Moreover, a controlled environment facility and/or service provider mayhave expended appreciable amounts of capital and resources to deploy acall processing system for safely and securely facilitating theprivilege of residents placing and receiving calls. It may be expectedthat this investment is to be recouped through a surcharge or tariff onall resident's calls placed into or out of the controlled environmentfacility. However, as calls made using contraband cellular telephonesbypass the call processing platforms typically relied upon to implementsuch a surcharge or tariff, the controlled environment facility and/orservice provider may be unable to recover expected costs.

Accordingly, cellular telephones and other wireless communicationdevices are often prohibited within controlled environment facilities.In particular, the possession of wireless devices is prohibited withinall prison facilities in the United States, and possession of wirelessdevices is a felony in three states. However, inmates have provenresourceful in having cellular telephones, or the components thereof,brought into prison facilities for use in placing and receivingunauthorized communications.

Various attempts have been made in addition to the aforementioned legaldeterrents to discourage the use of wireless communications devices incontrolled environment facilities. For example, prison facilities haveoften utilized thorough and concentrated searches, often referred to as“shakedowns,” to find contraband items including wireless communicationdevices within the facility. However, such searches are highly resourcedependent. With budget dollars becoming tighter every year, thiscorrectional officer function is competing against many otherresponsibilities and appears to be losing emphasis. Some prisonfacilities have utilized detecting devices to reduce the manpower and/orincrease the effectiveness of attempts to locate wireless devices withinthe facility. However, such detecting devices generally requireexpensive technology to be deployed that still require a significant ofadministration and/or correctional officer time for monitoring andintervention.

Additionally, transmission of interference signals to block wirelesscommunications has been suggested to discourage or prevent the use ofwireless communications in controlled environment facilities. However,transmission of interference signals is problematic for a number ofreasons. Radio spectrum is highly regulated in most countries and thetransmission of interference signals is often prohibited or highlyregulated in order to prevent arbitrary interruption of wirelesscommunication. Moreover, some wireless communications technologies, suchas spread spectrum code division multiple access (CDMA), are resistantto interference, often requiring broadband high energy interferencesignals in order to achieve meaningful blocking of communications. Suchinterference signals are costly and difficult to generate andeffectively illuminate a controlled environment facility to provideeffective blocking of communications.

Another attempt to discourage the use of wireless communications devicesin secure areas is shown in United States patent publication number US2002/0016180 A1 to Derosier (hereinafter Derosier). Derosier teaches theuse of control signals to cause a cellular telephone to lower itstransmission power so that transmissions from the cellular telephone donot reach any corresponding surrounding base stations. Such technologymay be utilized to block cellular telephone use without substantialadministration and/or correctional officer interaction. However, suchtechnology does not provide any information with respect to the locationof the cellular telephone or its attempted use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to systems and methods whichfacilitate wireless communications within a controlled environment in acontrolled manner. Embodiments of the present invention operate torecognize wireless communications, whether voice, text, video, or data,terminating within a controlled environment facility, whether outboundor inbound, and control one or more aspects of the communication usingan information processing platform or other communication controlsystem. The present invention is also directed to systems and methodswhich detect wireless communication devices, whether cellulartelephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless networkdevices, two-way pagers, press-to-talk personal communication services(PCS) devices, etcetera, within a control environment facility, anddetermine the location of the wireless device using an informationprocessing platform or other communication control system.

Embodiments of the invention provide a controlled alternative forwireless communication within a controlled environment facility, such asa prison facility (e.g., jail, stockade, prison, penitentiary,etcetera), hospitals, nursing homes, camps, and/or the like, thatotherwise would not be permitted and may have actively been prevented.In addition to providing a higher number of calls through an informationprocessing platform, thereby increasing revenues for the serviceprovider and/or commissions for the controlled environment facility,embodiments of the invention provide improved investigatory tools forthe controlled environment facility through controlling, monitoring,redirecting, and/or interrupting wireless communications. Accordingly,embodiments operate to provide expanded communications opportunities forthe residents of controlled environment facilities while expanding bothinvestigatory and revenue potential for the facility. Moreover, usingsystems and methods of the present invention, law enforcement isprovided a choice in how wireless connections are managed within acontrolled environment facility.

In facilitating wireless communications within a controlled environmentfacility, embodiments of the present invention deploy one or morewireless communication nodes, such as may comprise a wireless basestation, a wireless micro-cell, a wireless pico-cell, and/or the like,in association with a controlled environment facility. Such wirelesscommunication nodes are adapted to “illuminate” (i.e., provide radiofrequency (RF) signal coverage) areas of the controlled environmentfacility occupied by residents, such as prison cells or rooms, commonareas, lounges, dining facilities, offices, exercise rooms, grounds,and/or the like. The wireless communication nodes are preferably incommunication with an information processing platform operating inassociation with the controlled environment facility, such that wirelesscommunications passing through the wireless communication nodes aresubject to call processing by the information processing platform.Wireless communication devices, such as cellular telephones, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), wireless network devices (e.g., a personalcomputer having a wireless local area network (WLAN) network interface),two-way pagers, press-to-talk personal communication services (PCS)devices, etcetera, will preferably establish communications with awireless communication node of the present invention due to the wirelesscommunication node providing a best signal, being the nearest wirelessaccess point, providing the strongest or only signal within thecontrolled environment facility, etcetera. Accordingly, communicationsterminating with a resident's wireless communication device may becontrolled, monitored, recorded, redirected, interrupted, released,etcetera in accordance with the information processing platformalgorithms.

Wireless communication nodes of embodiments of the invention adapt theradiation pattern of an antenna system thereof to adequately coverdesired areas within the associated controlled environment facility(e.g., all areas of the controlled environment facility accessible byresidents and/or personnel). For example, using multiple directionalbeam antenna systems, phased array antenna systems, adaptive arrayantenna systems, and/or the like, wireless communication nodes ofembodiments adequately illuminate desired areas within the controlledenvironment facility (e.g., penetrate walls, cover multiple levels orfloors, cover perimeter areas, etcetera) to facilitate wirelesscommunications according the present invention. Such radiation patternsare preferably carefully controlled to provide the aforementioneddesired coverage without illuminating areas external to the controlledenvironment facility sufficiently to cause undesired interference orinteraction with wireless devices utilized external to the controlledenvironment facility.

Additionally or alternatively, wireless communication nodes ofembodiments of the present invention deployed in association with acontrolled environment facility may comprise a detection device suitablefor detecting one or more wireless devices (e.g., such as cellulartelephones, PDAs, wireless network devices, two-way pagers,press-to-talk PCS devices, etcetera). Such wireless communication nodesare adapted to “monitor” (i.e., provide radio frequency (RF) signaldetection) areas of the controlled environment facility occupied byresidents (or even areas which are “off limits’ to some or allresidents), such as prison cells or rooms, common areas, lounges, diningfacilities, offices, exercise rooms, grounds, and/or the like. Thewireless communication nodes are preferably in communication with aninformation processing platform in association with the controlledenvironment facility, such that data associated with wirelesscommunication devices obtained and/or determined by the wirelesscommunication nodes is sent to the information processing platform.

A wireless communication device will emit a signal, such as an RFsignal, on power-up and/or when placing or receiving calls. Wirelesscommunication nodes of embodiments will detect the signal emitted by thewireless communication device and will preferably collect dataassociated with the device, the user of the device, the operation of thedevice, and/or the location of the wireless communication device. Thecollected data may comprise data acquired initially from the signal,such as signal strength or relative delay, and/or data obtained byprocessing the initially acquired data at least in part, such as anapproximate location of the wireless device. Wireless communicationnodes of embodiments may communicate the collected data to theinformation processing platform. Accordingly, the location of aresident's wireless communication device may be determined in accordancewith the logic of the information processing platform. Additionally oralternatively, wireless communication nodes of embodiments may determinethe location of a resident's wireless communication device, such as bytriangulation methods, and communicate the location of the wirelesscommunication device to the information processing platform.

Wireless communication nodes of embodiments of the present invention mayoperate under any wireless network specification, such as Bluetooth,ZigBee, Wi-Fi, and/or the like, to communicate with each other and/or aninformation processing platform operating in association with acontrolled environment facility. Wireless communication nodes ofpreferred embodiments of the present invention operate under the ZigBeespecification. ZigBee is the name of a specification for a suite of highlevel communication protocols using small, low-power digital radiosbased on the IEEE 802.15.4 for wireless personal area networks (WPANs).

Embodiments of the present invention deploy a plurality of wirelesscommunication nodes, e.g., operable under the ZigBee specification, inassociation with a controlled environment facility. Such wirelesscommunication nodes are adapted to illuminate and/or monitor areas ofthe controlled environment facility. Preferably, the wirelesscommunication nodes are operable to communicate with any other wirelesscommunication nodes within range thereby forming a multi-path meshnetwork of wireless communication nodes. Accordingly, information can berouted from a wireless communication node to a desired destination, suchas another wireless communication node and/or an information processingplatform, through any number of paths permitting poorly performingwireless communication nodes or routes to be by-passed.

The wireless communication nodes of embodiments of the present inventioncan remain “awake” (i.e., active or on) at all times, but preferablysome of the wireless communication nodes will be “awake” while the otherwireless communication nodes will be “asleep” (i.e., dormant or off) toconserve power. Embodiments of the present invention support a sequenceof wireless communication nodes alternating between awake and sleepmodes such that at least a certain percentage of the wirelesscommunication nodes are awake at any given time.

Wireless communication nodes of embodiments of the present invention areadapted to monitor areas of the controlled environment facility. Asignal emitted by a wireless device is detected by one or more of suchwireless communication node within range. The one or more wirelesscommunication node preferably communicates with one or more neighboringwireless communication node to “wake up” (i.e., activate or turn on) theone or more neighboring wireless communication node in sleep mode and/oralert the one or more neighboring wireless communication node that thereis a wireless device nearby. The one or more wireless communication nodecollects data associated with the location of the wireless communicationdevice. The collected data may comprise data acquired initially from thesignal, such as signal strength or relative delay, and/or data obtainedby processing the initially acquired data at least in part, such as anapproximate location of the wireless device. The collected data ispreferably routed by the one or more wireless communication node to oneor more gateway wireless communication node, which communicates thecollected data to an information processing platform. Accordingly, thelocation of a resident's wireless communication device may be determinedin accordance with the logic of the information processing platform.Additionally or alternatively, the location of the wirelesscommunication device may be determined by the one or more wirelesscommunication node and the location communicated to the informationprocessing platform.

Embodiments of the invention place an information processing platformoperating in association with the controlled environment facility incommunication with a wireless communication network access point, suchas a cellular network base station. Accordingly, where such a wirelesscommunication network access point illuminates all or any portion of acontrolled environment facility, wireless communications utilizing thenetwork access point terminating with a resident's wireless device maybe controlled in accordance with the information processing platformalgorithms. The use of wireless communication network access points inproviding wireless communications with respect to controlled environmentfacilities according to embodiments of the invention may be in additionto or in the alternative to the use of the aforementioned wirelesscommunication nodes.

Embodiments of the present invention may operate to facilitate wirelesscommunications and/or locating wireless devices in a variety of modes.For example, embodiments of the invention may operate in a stealth modesuch that a wireless device communication is completed without a partyto the communication realizing the communication has been handled by aninformation processing platform in association with a controlledenvironment facility. In such a stealth mode various controlledenvironment call processing features, such as call interception,recording, monitoring, locating, re-routing, etcetera, may beimplemented without the calling and/or called party's knowledge.Additionally or alternatively, a public mode may be provided to announceor otherwise make public that wireless communications or particularwireless communications are subject to control (e.g., includinginterception, recording, monitoring, locating, re-routing, etcetera) byan information processing platform in association with a controlledenvironment facility. Embodiments of the invention may additionally oralternatively operate in a conversion mode such that wireless devicecommunications within the controlled environment are converted tooperation according to other communications processed by an informationprocessing platform in association with a controlled environmentfacility. Accordingly, wireless devices, whether or not such wirelessdevices are a priori known to the information processing platform, mayoperate essentially as another station of the controlled communicationservices when disposed in areas of the controlled environment facility.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention mayleverage the use of call processing systems already deployed for usewith respect to wireline communications. For example, a wireless callmay be treated using the same algorithms as a wireline call, such as todetermine if the called and/or calling number is allowed, to determineif calls are allowed at the current time of day, to determine if anaccount is available for funding the account, to determine if the callis to be recorded, to determine if an investigator should be notified ofor placed on the call, etcetera.

Additionally or alternatively, an information processing platform mayimplement call treatment algorithms unique to wireless communications.For example, an information processing platform may be adapted accordingto embodiments of the invention to identify particular wirelesscommunication devices, such as through reference to an electronic serialnumber (ESN), mobile identification number (MIN), electronic address(e.g., telephone number, electronic mail address, uniform resourcelocator (URL), internet protocol (IP) address, etcetera), and/or thelike and to prevent communications using wireless devices which are notproperly registered with the information processing platform.Communications to or from such unregistered wireless communicationdevices may be redirected to a system, such as may comprise an agent, aninteractive voice response (IVR) unit, a text message delivery unit,etcetera, to provide one or more parties to the communicationinformation with respect to why the communication is not being completedand/or how the wireless device may be registered or how a registeredwireless device may be obtained.

Additionally or alternatively, information processing platforms of thepresent invention may operate to collect information, such as a locationof the wireless communication device within the controlled environmentfacility (such as may be determined using radio location techniques,directional antenna beam information, global positioning system (GPS)information available from the wireless communication device, etcetera),a dialed number, a voice sample of a party attempting the call, and/orthe like, for investigative purposes while either allowing or blocking awireless communication attempt associated with unregistered wirelesscommunication devices. Embodiments of the invention may operate todisplay messages on the wireless device to indicate that the device isin a controlled state. Likewise, messages may be appended tocommunications made using wireless devices, such as to announce that thedevice is being operated in a controlled area and communications aresubject to tracing, monitoring, and recording.

According to embodiments of the invention, wireless communicationservices may continue to be offered and provided to residents of thecontrolled environment facility using a registered wirelesscommunication device by the service provider after the resident leavesthe controlled environment facility. Accordingly, not only may wirelesscommunications be facilitated in association with a controlledenvironment facility according to the present invention, but wirelesscommunications independent of the controlled environment facility mayalso be facilitated.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated that the conception and specific embodimentdisclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designingother structures for carrying out the same purposes of the presentinvention. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructionsdo not depart from the invention as set forth in the appended claims.The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages will be better understood from thefollowing description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a controlled environment facilityinformation processing platform wherein a wireless communication deviceis operable to avoid communication processing treatment;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a controlled environment facilityinformation processing platform adapted to provide communicationprocessing treatment with respect to wireless communication devicesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show detail with respect to information processingsystem architectures as may be implemented with respect to theinformation processing platform of FIG. 2 according to embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a multi-path mesh network of wireless communication nodesin communication with the information processing platform of FIG. 2according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a wireless communication node according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To aid in understanding of the concepts of the present invention,embodiments will be described herein with reference to a prisonfacility. It should be appreciated, however, that the present inventionis not limited to application with respect to prison facilities and mayreadily be applied to a variety of controlled environment facilities,such as hospitals, nursing homes, camps, dormitories, campuses,etcetera.

Directing attention to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating how awireless communication device within a controlled environment facilitymay avoid locating and communication processing treatment by aninformation processing platform is shown. Specifically, cellulartelephone 123 is shown disposed within prison facility 100. Althoughprison facility 100 has call processing platform 110 deployed inassociation therewith, providing call processing with respect to userterminals 121-1 through 121-N, cellular telephone 123 is able toestablish wireless communications with network 130, such as may comprisethe public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, a local areanetwork (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network(WAN), etcetera, without the communication being detected by, directedthrough, or controlled by call processing platform 110. Specifically,cellular telephone 123 is disposed in cell (service area or radiationpattern) 141 associated with cellular base station 140. Base station 140is coupled to network 130 through traditional means, such as via mobileswitching office (MSO) 142. Cellular telephone 123 may thus place and/orreceive calls or otherwise communicate with user terminals 131-1 through131-P disposed external to prison facility 100.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrating an informationprocessing platform 210 adapted to facilitate wireless communicationswith respect to a controlled environment facility according to anembodiment of the present invention is shown. Specifically, informationprocessing platform 210 of the illustrated embodiment includeswireless/wired enabled interface 211 to support interfacing with,processing, and/or locating wireline and wireless communication devices.It should be appreciated that, although cellular telephone 123 is shownas the wireless user terminal illustrated in FIG. 2, any form ofwireless communication device (e.g., wireless PDAs, wireless computers,two-way pagers, press-to-talk PCS devices, etcetera) may be supported byembodiments of the present invention. Moreover, it should be appreciatedthat wireless communications supported according to embodiments of theinvention are not limited to voice communications and, therefore, mayinclude text messaging, short message service (SMS), instant messaging(IM), multi-media communications, facsimile transmission, electronicmail, electronic document and/or file transmission, etcetera.

User terminals 121-1 through 121-N are coupled to information processingplatform 210, in the illustrated embodiment via wireless/wired enabledinterface 211, and communications originating from and/or directed tothese user devices are controlled by logic of information processingplatform 210. Wireless user terminals are also coupled to informationprocessing platform 210 of the illustrated embodiment via wireless/wiredenabled interface 211 so that the locations of these user devices aredetermined by the logic of information processing platform 210 and/orcommunications originating from and/or directed to these user devicesare controlled by logic of information processing platform 210.Additional detail with respect to controlling or otherwise processingcalls using call processing systems is provided in the above referencepatent applications entitled “Information Management and Movement Systemand Method,” “Centralized Call Processing,” and “Systems and Methods forAcquiring, Accessing, and Analyzing Investigative Information.”Additional detail with respect to embodiments of information processingplatform 210 adapted according to embodiments of the present inventionis provided in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Directing attention to FIG. 3A, a controlled environment informationmanagement system 310A, preferably having functions and features asdescribed in the above referenced patent applications entitled“Information Management and Movement System and Method,” is shownadapted to provide an information processing platform facilitatingwireless communications corresponding to that of information processingplatform 210 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Specifically, controlled environment information managementsystem 310A, corresponding to information processing platform 210 ofFIG. 2, is deployed with respect to controlled environment facility 100.Although illustrated as being deployed within the controlled environmentfacility in FIG. 3A, it should be appreciated that controlledenvironment information management systems of the present invention maybe deployed in a number of configurations. For example, embodiments ofthe present invention provide an information management system deployedexternal to the controlled environment facility and having dataterminals and/or other access points deployed within the controlledenvironment facility, as shown in FIG. 3B. Additionally oralternatively, information management systems may be provided in adistributed topology, such as having server systems, applicationprograms, and/or databases distributed throughout a number of geographiclocals, according to embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3A, information management system 310A provideswireless device locating and call processing with respect to a varietyof user terminal equipment configurations. For example, user terminalequipment may include personal computers (computers 121-2, 121-M+1, and325), PDAs (PDA 324), pagers, wireline telephones (telephones 121-1,121-M, 121-N), wireless telephones (cellular telephone 123) facsimilemachines, and the like, coupled through direct links, such as wireline,cable, fiber optic, etcetera, and/or indirect links, such as network120. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, controlledenvironment information management system 310A is adapted to includeintelligence/management functionality 312 and transaction/commercefunctionality 313. Preferably, intelligence/management functionality 312provides for collection, storage, and movement of information formanaging various operational aspects of the controlled environmentfacility, including the management of personnel, residents, vendors, andresources. Transaction/commerce functionality 313 preferably providesfor the instigation and completion of various transactions, includingrequesting and providing goods and services, determining creditworthiness, verifying account balance and status, and providing forpayment. Additional detail with respect to operation of informationmanagement system 310A in providing call processing and otherfunctionality is provided in the above referenced patent applicationentitled “Information Management and Movement System and Method.”

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a controlled environment informationmanagement system, having functions and features as described in theabove referenced patent applications entitled “Centralized CallProcessing,” is shown adapted to provide an information processingplatform facilitating wireless communications corresponding to that ofinformation processing platform 210 of FIG. 2 according to an embodimentof the present invention. Specifically, controlled environmentinformation management system 310B, corresponding to informationprocessing platform 210 of FIG. 2, is deployed within controlledenvironment facility 100. Information management system 310B provideswireless device locating and call processing with respect to a varietyof user terminal equipment configurations using a centralizedarchitecture. Information management system 310B of the illustratedembodiment is in communication with controlled environment facility 100via network 330. It should be appreciated that, although only a singleinformation management system and controlled environment facility arerepresented in FIG. 3B, any number of information management systemsand/or controlled environment facilities may be implemented. Likewise,the configuration of information management systems and controlledenvironment facilities for which calling services may be providedaccording to the present invention is not limited to those shown in FIG.3B.

The illustrated embodiment of information management system 310Bdisposes one or more call processing gateways, shown here as callprocessing gateways 341, at or near sites for which call processingservices are to be provided, here controlled environment facility 100.Call processing gateways 341 may provide interfacing and arbitrationbetween a number of protocols, signals, and/or interfaces. For example,preferred embodiment call processing gateways 341 provide a plurality ofanalog telephone line interfaces (e.g., POTS line interfaces), LANinterfaces (e.g., 100 Mbit Ethernet interface), wireless interfaces(e.g., 802.11 interface), etcetera for coupling to a plurality of userterminals, here user terminals 121-1 through 121-N. Preferred embodimentcall processing gateways 341 provide at least one WAN interface (e.g.,T1 interface) for coupling to a data, e.g., packet switched, network,such as to facilitate the use of management terminals (e.g., workstation321, commerce terminal 322, and jail application manager terminal 323).

A plurality of call processing gateways 341 may be coupled to cooperatein providing call processing services using a network router or switch,such as router 340. Call processing gateways 341 of the illustratedembodiment are coupled to information management system 310B via network330. Correspondingly, information management system 310B of theillustrated embodiment includes router/switch 340 coupling network 330to various systems and components comprising information managementsystem 310B.

The illustrated embodiment of information management system 310Bincludes a number of functional aspects, ones of which may be omitted inoptional configurations, shown as various systems cooperating to providecall processing according to embodiments of the present invention. Callapplication management system 361, billing system 362, validation system363, unauthorized call activity detection system 364, call treatmentsystem 365, call recording system 366, and media gateway 367 may beutilized in various combinations to provide primary calling servicefunctionality according to embodiments of the present invention. Justiceapplication management system 371 and/or commerce system 372 ofinformation management system 301B may be utilized in providing enhancedfunctionality, such as management of the controlled environment facilityand its personnel and/or residents. Additional detail with respect tooperation of information management system 310B in providing callprocessing and other functionality is provided in the above referencedpatent application entitled “Centralized Call Processing.”

Referring now to FIG. 4, wireless communication nodes 240A-240L showndisposed within prison facility 100 are operable to communicate witheach other forming a multi-path mesh network of wireless communicationnodes 400. Network 400 is in communication with information processingplatform 210 via gateway wireless communication node 240K. An advantageof network 400 is that information can be routed through any number ofpaths being that each wireless communication node 240 can communicatewith any other wireless communication node 240 within range, such asthrough use of ZigBee, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, or other wired orwireless protocols. The routing within network 400 is dynamic andintelligent. Not every wireless communication node 240 in network 400will act as a router for every message, only those wirelesscommunication nodes that are useful in getting the information to adesired destination. This characteristic of network 400 allows forpoorly performing wireless communication nodes or routes to be by-passedproviding a robust network architecture. For example, wirelesscommunication node 240D attempts to communicate information to wirelesscommunication node 240F via wireless communication node 240E, butwireless communication node 240E is not functioning or responding.Wireless communication node 240D can instead communicate the informationto wireless communication node 240B or wireless communication 240H, andwireless communication node 240B or wireless communication 240H canroute the information to wireless communication node 240F.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram illustrating a wirelesscommunication node adapted to monitor at least a part of a controlledenvironment facility is shown. Specifically, wireless communication node240 of the illustrated embodiment comprises antenna 500, filters501-503, sensors 511-513, and node processor 520. Filters 501-503 arepreferably each unique to a particular type of wireless communication tobe detected by wireless communication node 240, for example each type ofwireless communication operating in a specific frequency band. Forexample, filter 501 may comprise a filter for PCS, filter 502 maycomprise a filter for WiFi, etcetera. Filters 501-503 are operable tofilter out signals having frequencies outside a specific frequency bandand permit signals having frequencies inside a specific frequency bandto pass through. According to an illustrative embodiment, filter 501filters out signals having frequencies outside the frequency band inwhich PCS wireless devices operate and permits signals havingfrequencies inside the frequency band to pass onto sensor 511. Sensors511-513 each detect wireless communications operating in a particularfrequency band. For example, sensor 511 detects PCS communications,sensor 512 detects WiFi communications, etcetera. Sensors 511-513 ofembodiments are operable to acquire data associated with the signaldetected, such as signal frequency, signal strength, relative delay,etcetera. Node processor 520 is operable to collect the data acquired bysensors 511-513. Additionally, node processor 520 may process theacquired data at least in part and collect the processed data, such asmay be the type of wireless device detected, an approximate location ofthe wireless device, etcetera. Node processor 520 is operable to routethe collected data to other wireless communication nodes and/or aninformation processing platform using an input/output interface incommunication with the mesh network, such as may be coupled to antenna500 or another antenna (not shown) for wireless communication. It shouldbe appreciated that wireless communication node 240 of embodiments maycomprise any number of filters and sensors as desired to provide acontrolled environment facility with detection for as many differenttypes of wireless devices as needed and/or desired.

Having described various information processing architectures that maybe implemented according to embodiments of the present invention,attention is again directed to the more general block diagram of FIG. 2and information processing platform 210. In order to facilitateinformation processing platform 210 locating a wireless device used by aresident thereof and/or being placed in communication with a wirelessdevice used by a resident thereof, one or more wireless communicationnode is deployed in association with prison facility 100. Theillustrated embodiment shows wireless communication node 240facilitating communication between information processing platform 210and cellular telephone 123 and facilitating the locating of cellulartelephone 123.

Wireless communication node 240 may be coupled to information processingplatform 210 via wireline links, wireless links, and/or any other mediasupporting communication as described herein. Moreover, informationprocessing platform 210 may be disposed locally to wirelesscommunication node 240 (such as shown in FIG. 3A) or remotely withrespect to wireless communication node 240 (such as shown in FIG. 3B).In providing operation according to embodiments of the presentinvention, wireless communication node 240 may additionally be incommunication with various devices and systems, such as MSO 140 and/ornetwork 130, such as to provide communications between cellulartelephone 123 and one or more of user terminals 131-1 through 131-P.However, communication with terminals or other systems external toprison facility 100 may be provided through information processingplatform 210, according to embodiments of the invention.

Wireless communication node 240 of embodiments of the present inventioncomprises a wireless base station, a wireless micro-cell, a wirelesspico-cell, and/or the like. One or more such wireless communicationnodes are adapted to “illuminate” (i.e., provide radio frequency (RF)signal coverage) areas of prison facility 100 accessible to prisoners(or perhaps even off limits to prisoners), such as prison cells, commonareas, workshops, dining facilities, exercise rooms, grounds, and/or thelike. Accordingly, any location within prison facility 100 at which aprisoner is able or likely to attempt to establish wirelesscommunications is preferably provided suitable coverage by a wirelesscommunication node of this embodiment.

In operation according to a preferred embodiment, wireless communicationdevices, such as cellular telephone 123, may establish communicationswith wireless communication node 240 when attempting to establishwireless communications due to wireless communication node 240 beingdeployed to provide a best signal, being the nearest wireless accesspoint, providing the strongest or only signal within the controlledenvironment facility, and/or the like. For example, although basestation 140 may provide illumination of areas within prison facility100, wireless communication node 240 of preferred embodiments provides astronger pilot signal, special information tone (SIT), etcetera.Accordingly, when searching for a base station or other access pointthrough which to establish communications, cellular telephone 123 mayassociate with wireless communication node 240 although one or moreother base stations are also candidates.

Alternatively, may operate to detect wireless communication node 240without establishing communications therewith (e.g., passivelymonitoring transmissions by various wireless devices). For example,wireless communication node 240 may detect an RF signal emitted bycellular telephone 123 using one of a plurality of sensors, the sensorsoperable to detect the different frequencies or communications protocolsassociated with wireless devices. Wireless communication node 240 maythus acquire data associated with the location of cellular telephone123, such as signal strength or relative delay, and communicate thisdata to information processing platform 210. Accordingly, the locationof cellular telephone 123 disposed within prison facility 100 may bedetermined in accordance with the wireless device locating algorithms ofinformation processing platform 210.

Wireless communication node 240 preferably has the radiation pattern ofan antenna system thereof adapted to adequately cover desired areaswithin the associated controlled environment facility suitable to causewireless communication devices to associate with the wirelesscommunication node rather than base station 140 or at least fordetection of signals from wireless communication devices within thedesired area of coverage. For example, using multiple directional beamantenna systems, phased array antenna systems, adaptive array antennasystems, and/or the like, wireless communication node 240 may transmitand receive RF signals penetrating walls, covering multiple levels orfloors, covering perimeter areas, etcetera to adequately illuminatedesired areas within the controlled environment facility and facilitatewireless communications according the present invention. Such radiationpatterns are preferably carefully controlled to provide theaforementioned desired coverage without illuminating areas external toprison facility 100 sufficiently to cause undesired interference orinteraction with wireless devices utilized external to prison facility100.

Cooperation between wireless communication node 240 and informationprocessing platform 210 according to embodiments of the inventionoperates to subject wireless communications passing through wirelesscommunication node 240 to call processing by information processingplatform 210. Accordingly, communications terminating with a wirelesscommunication device disposed within prison facility 100 may becontrolled, monitored, recorded, redirected, interrupted, released,etcetera in accordance with the call processing platform algorithms ofinformation processing platform 210.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention mayleverage the use of information processing systems already deployed foruse with respect to wireline communications. For example, a wirelesscall may be treated using the same algorithms as a wireline call, suchas to determine if the called and/or calling number is allowed, todetermine if calls are allowed at the current time of day, to determineif an account is available for funding the account, to determine if thecall is to be recorded, to determine if an investigator should benotified of or placed on the call, etcetera. Detail with respect tocontrolling calls and making call treatment determinations is providedin the above referenced patent applications entitled “InformationManagement and Movement System and Method,” “Centralized CallProcessing,” “Systems and Methods for Acquiring, Accessing, andAnalyzing Investigative Information,” “System and Method for Remote CallForward Detection and Treatment,” “System and Method for AccountEstablishment and Transaction Management using Interrupt Messaging,” and“Systems and Methods for Transaction Authorization Determination.”

Additionally or alternatively, information processing platform 210 mayimplement call treatment algorithms unique to wireless communications.For example, information processing platform 210 may identify particularwireless communication devices, such as through reference to anelectronic serial number (ESN), mobile identification number (MIN),electronic address (e.g., telephone number, electronic mail address,uniform resource locator (URL), internet protocol (IP) address,etcetera), and/or the like and to prevent communications using wirelessdevices which are not properly registered with information processingplatform 210 and/or prison facility 100.

For example, communications associated with a wireless device registeredwith information processing platform 210 may be allowed, but informationmay be required by information processing platform 210 to validate thecall (e.g., identify the prisoner such as by personal identificationnumber (PIN) or speech recognition, verify a prepaid balance isavailable or an account is available for billing the call to, verifythat the called and/or calling numbers are on an allowed number listand/or are not on a non-allowed number list, verify that the call isbeing placed at an allowed time and/or from an allowed location,etcetera) using validation process 213. Accordingly, wirelesscommunication node 240 may initiate call control by capturing the call(whether inbound to a wireless communication device or outbound from awireless communication device) and funneling this call to informationprocessing platform 210 for continued call control.

Where a call is placed to a registered wireless communication device,wireless communication node 240 and/or information processing platform210 may operate to manage the incoming call in a hold status as itchecks to confirm that the called wireless communication device isregistered, that the calling number is on an allowed number list or noton a non-allowed number list, that a prepaid balance or account isavailable for the call charges, and/or the like. For example, wirelesscommunication node 240 and/or call processing platform 210 maycommunicate with validation process 213 to determine the foregoing. Ifthe call is allowed, it will preferably complete with all features,capabilities, and functionality associated with information processingplatform 210.

Where a call is placed by a registered wireless communication device,wireless communication node 240 and/or information processing platform210 may communicate with validation process 213 to confirm the wirelesscommunication device is registered, the wireless communication deviceand/or calling party has a status as an active account (i.e. prepaidbalance available or account is live), etcetera. Information processingplatform 210 preferably manages the incoming call in a hold status as itchecks to confirm the call originates from a terminal on an allowednumber list or is not on a non-allowed number list, that a prepaidbalance or account is available for the call charges, and/or the like.If the call is allowed, it will preferably complete with all features,capabilities, and functionality associated with information processingplatform 210.

It should be appreciated that although a wireless communication deviceis registered with information processing platform 210 and/or prisonfacility 100, a call associated therewith may not be allowed to complete(i.e., all or a portion of the communication may be blocked). If all ora portion of a call is blocked, information processing platform 210 ofembodiments will notify the calling and/or called party with anappropriate messages based on the circumstances. For example, an IVRunit may play one or more of the following messages as appropriate: Thephone number you are calling has been deactivated; Your prepaid balanceis insufficient please contact a customer service representative (or thecall may be transferred to an Agent or IVR script for acceptingadditional funds); Your prepaid balance is insufficient please try acollect call; and The line is busy, please call again.

Where a call is placed to a non-registered wireless communicationdevice, wireless communication node 240 and/or information processingplatform 210 may operate to manage the incoming call in a hold status asit checks to determine that the called wireless communication device isnot registered. For example, wireless communication node 240 and/orinformation processing platform 210 may communicate with validationprocess 213 to determine that the wireless communication device is notregistered with information processing platform 210 and/or prisonfacility 100. Wireless communication node 240 of embodiments of theinvention establishes itself as a “clone” of the wireless communicationdevice in order to terminate the call, preferably capturing call eventdetails such as date, time of day, incoming automatic number information(ANI), dialed number information service (DNIS) information, voicesample of the calling party, and/or the like. When blocking a call to anon-registered wireless communication device, information processingplatform 210 may notify the calling party and/or called party with anappropriate message based on the circumstances, such as to play one ormore of the following messages: The phone you called is not registered,please advise the person you are trying to reach within ABC facility towork with the prison commissary to determine eligibility for thisprivilege; and A call was placed to this phone, however the phone is notregistered, please contact the prison commissary to determineeligibility for wireless calling privileges.

Where a call is placed by a registered wireless communication device,wireless communication node 240 and/or information processing platform210 may operate to manage the incoming call in a hold status as itchecks to determine that the called wireless communication device is notregistered. For example, wireless communication node 240 and/orinformation processing platform 210 may communicate with validationprocess 213 to determine that the wireless communication device is notregistered with information processing platform 210 and/or prisonfacility 100. Wireless communication node 240 of embodiments of theinvention establishes itself as the base station or other access pointof the wireless carrier that the wireless communication device withinprison facility 100 is trying to reach to complete its call to anoutside party. The call will preferably be captured/blocked and wirelesscommunication node 240 and/or information processing platform 210 maynotify the calling party with an appropriate message, such as that thephone being used is not registered and that the caller should work withthe prison commissary to determine eligibility for this privilege.Wireless communication node 240 and/or information processing platform210 preferably capture call event details such as date, time of day,incoming automatic number information (ANI), ESN, MIN, dialed numberinformation service (DNIS) information, voice sample of the callingparty, GPS information, location information derived by radio locationtechniques, and/or the like.

Although the foregoing embodiment has been described with reference toblocking calls associated with non-registered wireless devices,embodiments of the present invention may permit some or allnon-registered wireless devices to complete wireless communications. Forexample, embodiments of the invention may operate to operate transparentto callers such that investigative data, in the form of recorded calls,call event details, etcetera are captured for investigative purposes. Aninvestigator or other personnel may be notified of such communications,perhaps in real-time allowing the investigator or other personnel tomonitor the communication as it is transpiring.

It should be appreciated that various call event details are captured bywireless communication node 240 and/or information processing platform210 with respect to wireless communications whether the wirelesscommunications are allowed or blocked according to embodiments of theinvention. For example, information such as date, time of day, DNIS,ANI, ESN, MIN, location information, a recording of the communication,etcetera, as available, may be captured with respect to each wirelesscommunication terminated (either inbound or outbound) within prisonfacility 100. Investigative tools, such as those described in the abovereferenced patent applications entitled “Information Management andMovement System and Method” and “Systems and Methods for Acquiring,Accessing, and Analyzing Investigative Information,” may utilize thisinformation for robust investigative analysis and reporting.

Although embodiments described above utilize one or more wirelesscommunication node to capture communications associated with a wirelesscommunication device disposed in a controlled environment facility,alternative embodiments of the invention place an information processingplatform operating in association with the controlled environmentfacility in communication with a wireless communication network accesspoint, such as a cellular network base station. For example, informationprocessing platform 210 may be coupled to base station 140 via MSO 142and/or network 130. Accordingly, where such a wireless communicationnetwork access point illuminates all or any portion of a controlledenvironment facility, wireless communications utilizing the networkaccess point terminating with a resident's wireless device may becontrolled in accordance with the call processing platform algorithms ofinformation processing platform 210. The use of wireless communicationnetwork access points in providing wireless communications with respectto controlled environment facilities according to embodiments of theinvention may be in addition to or in the alternative to the use of theaforementioned wireless communication nodes.

Embodiments of the present invention operate to intercept all orsubstantially all communications (e.g., all communications determined topotentially pose a threat to safety and/or security) associated withwireless communication devices disposed in a controlled environmentfacility. Although there are a large number of wireless communicationsprotocols, embodiments of the present invention need not implement eachsuch wireless communication protocol with respect to a wirelesscommunication node thereof to effectively capture communications.Specifically, many wireless communication devices are multi-mode and/orbackwardly compatible with previous generation communications protocols.Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may strategicallyimplement various wireless communication protocols to in effect provide“lowest common denominator” communications useful in capturingcommunications from a maximum number of wireless communication devices.Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may actively controlwireless communication devices, such as using control channel signaling,to operate using a particular protocol of a plurality of protocolsavailable to the wireless communication device suitable for capturing asdescribed herein.

Additionally or alternatively, wireless communication node 240 ofembodiments of the present invention comprises a detection deviceoperable to detect one or more wireless devices (e.g., such as cellulartelephones, PDAs, wireless network devices, two-way pagers,press-to-talk PCS devices, etcetera). Such wireless communication nodesare adapted to “monitor” (i.e., provide radio frequency (RF) signaldetection) areas of the controlled environment facility occupied byresidents, such as prison cells or rooms, common areas, lounges, diningfacilities, offices, exercise rooms, grounds, and/or the like.Accordingly, any location within prison facility 100 at which a prisoneris able or likely to power-on and/or attempt use of a wireless device ispreferably provided suitable detection by a wireless communication nodeof this embodiment.

Wireless communication nodes 240 of embodiments of the present inventionmay operate under any wireless network specification, such as Bluetooth,ZigBee, WiFi, and/or the like, to communicate with each other and/or aninformation processing platform operating in association with acontrolled environment facility. Wireless communication nodes 240 ofpreferred embodiments operate under the ZigBee specification.

Embodiments of the present invention operate to locate wirelesscommunication devices present within a controlled environment facilityvia the deployment of a plurality of wireless communication nodes inassociation with a controlled environment facility. Preferably, wirelesscommunication nodes operate under the ZigBee specification. Referringback to FIG. 4, wireless communication nodes 240 shown are adapted tomonitor areas of prison facility 100. Although wireless communicationnodes 240 are shown ordered evenly spaced apart from each other,wireless communication nodes 240 can be placed in any order orarrangement which results in effective monitoring of desired areas ofprison facility 100. For example, an intricate, difficult area of prisonfacility 100, such as may comprise a prison cell ward, may be populatedwith a greater number of strategically placed wireless communicationnodes 240 than other areas of prison facility 100. Wirelesscommunication nodes 240 of embodiments are easy to deploy, therefore, asmany wireless communication nodes 240 as needed to provide prisonfacility 100 with an effective wireless device surveillance may bedeployed.

Wireless communication nodes 240 preferably form a multi-path meshnetwork of wireless communication nodes 400 which allows information tobe routed from a wireless communication node 240 to a desireddestination, such as another wireless communication node 240 and/orinformation processing platform 210, through any number of paths. Anywireless communication node 240 that is awake and within range ofcellular telephone 123 is operable to detect a signal emitted bycellular telephone 123, such as an RF signal emitted when cellulartelephone 123 is turned on or when a call is placed or received usingcellular telephone 123. Wireless communication nodes 240B, 240C, 240E,and 240F are shown within range of cellular telephone 123. For example,wireless communication node 240C detects an RF signal emitted fromcellular telephone 123. Wireless communication node 240C communicateswith neighboring wireless communication nodes 240B, 240E, and 240F towake up and/or alert the aforementioned wireless communication nodes.Wireless communication nodes 240B, 240C, 240E, and 240F collect dataassociated with the location of cellular telephone 123 and route thedata to gateway wireless communication node 240K. Wireless communicationnodes 240B, 240C, 240E, and 240F can choose any number of availablepaths to route the data. For example, wireless communication nodes 240B,240C, and 240F route their data to wireless communication node 240G.Wireless communication node 240E then routes the data from wirelesscommunication nodes 240B, 240C, and 240F, as well as its data, togateway wireless communication node 240K via wireless communication node240H. In another example, wireless communication node 240B routes itsdata to wireless communication node 240E, which in turn, routes the datareceived from wireless communication node 240B as well as its data togateway wireless communication node 240K via wireless communication node240H. Wireless communication node 240C routes its data to wirelesscommunication node 240F, which in turn, routes its data and the datareceived from wireless communication node 240C to gateway wirelesscommunication node 240K via wireless communication node 240I.

Gateway wireless communication node 240K preferably communicates thedata received from wireless communication nodes 240B, 240C, 240E, and240F to information processing platform 210. Although illustrated asbeing deployed external to prison facility 100 in FIG. 4, it should beappreciated that information processing platforms of the presentinvention may be deployed in a number of configurations. For example,embodiments of the present invention provide an information processingplatform deployed external to prison facility 100 and having dataterminals and/or other access points deployed within prison facility100, and/or an information processing platform deployed within prisonfacility 100. Additionally or alternatively, information processingplatforms may be provided in a distributed topology, such as havingserver systems, application programs, and/or databases distributedthroughout a number of geographic locals, according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

Information processing platform 210 of preferred embodiments processesthe data to determine the location of cellular telephone 123.Embodiments of the present invention may utilize this information tooptimize operation of information processing platform 210 with respectto wireless communications within a controlled environment facility. Forexample, relying on the location of cellular telephone 123,infrastructure such as wireless communication network access points,wireless communication nodes, antennas, etcetera may be deployed oradjusted to intercept communications of cellular telephone 123.Additionally or alternatively, cellular telephone 123 may beconfiscated. It should be appreciated that information processingplatform 210 collects information with respect to the location ofwireless devices disposed within prison facility 100. Investigativetools, such as those described in the above referenced patentapplications entitled “Information Management and Movement System andMethod” and “Systems and Methods for Acquiring, Accessing, and AnalyzingInvestigative Information,” may utilize this information for robustinvestigative analysis and reporting.

In operation according to a preferred embodiment, wireless communicationnode 240 will detect an RF signal emitted by cellular telephone 123 dueto wireless communication node 240 comprising a filter and sensorspecific to PCS communications, as shown in FIG. 5. A signal emitted bycellular telephone 123 will be picked up by antenna 500 and split to thedifferent pathways leading to filters 501-503. Filters 502 and 503,which are not filters unique to PCS communications, will filter out thesignal emitted by cellular telephone 123. Filter 501 comprises a filterunique to PCS communications and will let the signal pass to sensor 511.Sensor 511 will acquire data associated with the signal that can be usedto determine the location of cellular telephone 123, such as signalfrequency, signal strength, relative delay, etcetera. Node processor 520will collect data associated with the location of cellular telephone 123and communicate this data to information processing platform 210 usingantenna 500. The collected data may comprise data acquired by sensor 501and/or data obtained by node processor 520 processing initially acquireddata at least in part, such as an approximate location of wirelessdevice 123. Accordingly, the location of cellular telephone 123 disposedwithin prison facility 100 may be determined in accordance with thewireless device locating algorithms of information processing platform210.

Embodiments of the present invention may operate to facilitate wirelesscommunications in a variety of modes. An embodiment of the inventionoperates in a stealth mode such that a wireless device communication iscompleted without a party to the communication realizing thecommunication has been or is being handled by information processingplatform 210. Accordingly, in stealth mode various controlledenvironment information processing features, such as call interception,blocking calls to disallowed numbers, verifying the call is being placedto an allowed number, recording, monitoring, locating, re-routing,etcetera, may be implemented without the calling and/or called party'sknowledge.

A public mode is provided according to embodiments to announce orotherwise make public that wireless communications are subject toprocessing, such as may include interception, blocking calls todisallowed numbers, verifying the call is being placed to an allowednumber, recording, monitoring, locating, re-routing, etcetera, byinformation processing platform 210. For example, information processingplatform may operate to cause a message to be displayed (e.g., textand/or graphics presented on a display screen of one or more userterminal, such as a wireless device and/or a device in communicationwith the wireless device) or announced (e.g., playing an audio messageand/or tone on one or more user terminal, such as a wireless deviceand/or a device in communication with the wireless device) to indicatethat a device and/or communications made therewith are subject toprocessing by information processing platform 210. Messages may beappended to communications made using wireless devices, such as toannounce that the device is being operated in a controlled area andcommunications are subject to tracing, monitoring, recording, and/orlocating.

Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of the invention provide aconversion mode of operation wherein wireless device communicationswithin the controlled environment are converted to operation accordingto other communications processed by information processing platform210. Accordingly, wireless devices, whether or not such wireless devices(e.g., cellular telephone 123) are a priori known to the informationprocessing platform 210, may operate essentially as just another userterminal (e.g., user terminals 121-1 through 121-N).

Although wireless communication nodes 240 may be externally powered,such as by line power, wireless communication nodes 240 of embodimentsare preferably internally powered, such as by an internal battery.Wireless communication nodes 240 of embodiments of the present inventioncan remain awake at all times. However, some of the wirelesscommunication nodes 240 will preferably be awake while other wirelesscommunication nodes 240 will be “asleep” to conserve power. Embodimentsof the present invention support a sequence of wireless communicationnodes 240 alternating between awake and asleep modes such that at leasta certain percentage of the wireless communication nodes are awake atany given time. Preferably, the sequence distributes the wirelesscommunication nodes 240 in awake mode at any given time such that theareas illuminated and/or monitored at that time are distributedthroughout prison facility 100. Wireless communication nodes 240 maywake up to illuminate and/or monitor prison facility 100 for a veryshort amount of time, such as a millisecond, before returning to sleepmode.

Wireless communication nodes 240 of embodiments are easy to deploy,therefore, as many wireless communication nodes 240 as desired and/orneeded to provide a controlled environment facility with effectivewireless device locating and/or wireless communication processing may bedeployed. Numerous wireless communication nodes 240 of embodiments maybe deployed in various locations in association with the controlledenvironment facility. Preferably, wireless communication nodes 240 ofpreferred embodiments are deployed in strategic locations to provide thecontrolled environment facility with effective wireless device locatingand/or wireless communication processing. Wireless communication nodes240 of embodiments may be deployed as stationary wireless communicationnodes, mobile wireless communication nodes, or a combination of both.Stationary wireless communication nodes are deployed in association withone or more stationary entities having fixed locations (e.g, walls,ceilings, tables, chairs, beds, poles, fences, telephones, and/or thelike) in association with the controlled environment facility.Preferably, stationary wireless communication nodes are attached tostationary entities within the controlled environment facility. Mobilewireless communication nodes are deployed in association with one ormore mobile entities having mobile locations (e.g., personnel,residents, portable devices, vehicles, and/or the like) in associationwith the controlled environment facility. Preferably, mobile wirelesscommunication nodes are attached to mobile entities within thecontrolled environment facility.

Where wireless communication node 240 of embodiments is visible in acontrolled environment facility it is preferably disposed in a hardenedcase. If wireless communication node 240 is concealed, such as in a wallcavity or utility conduit, it is preferably constructed to tolerateharsh elements and continue to function with no degradation ofperformance. For example, wireless communication nodes 240 ofembodiments are designed to withstand humidity consistently greater than80% and temperatures that consistently exceed 110 degrees. Wirelesscommunication nodes 240 of embodiments utilize a case and wiringhardened to resist animal intrusions. In operation, a malfunction by awireless communication node is preferably recognized by informationprocessing platform 210 within 15 minutes, and a not functioning statusof a wireless communication node is preferably recognized by informationprocessing platform 210 within 5 minutes. In addition to providingwireless communications with wireless communication devices, wirelesscommunication nodes 240 of embodiments are preferably adapted toindependently store and deliver a short menu of messages or voiceprompts.

Wireless communication nodes 240 of embodiments of the present inventioncan facilitate functionality other than or in addition to wirelessdevice location and/or wireless communications processing to acontrolled environment facility. For example, wireless communicationnodes 240 can comprise a sensor, such as a motion sensor to monitorareas for movement within prison facility 100. It should be appreciatedthat wireless communication nodes 240 of embodiments are not limited torouting data to information processing platform 210. Informationprocessing platform 210 may communicate information and/or instructionsto wireless communication nodes 240 of embodiments. Such wirelesscommunication nodes 240 may be employed for monitoring and/orcontrolling lock statuses, HVAC, lights, smoke detectors, etcetera,within prison facility 100.

It should be appreciated that leveraging the use of preexisting systemsaccording to embodiments of the present invention is not limited to useof information processing systems already deployed for use with respectto wireline communications. For example, embodiments of the presentinvention adapt various preexisting systems to aid in locating and/oridentifying wireless devices, such as non-registered wirelesscommunication devices. Some detention facilities have begun implementingdevices for detecting cellular telephones within the detention facility.However, the effectiveness of such detection devices has been limiteddue to their only being able to detect cellular telephones in very nearproximity to the detection device when the cellular telephone isactivated. Currently many detention facilities utilize radio frequencyidentification (RFID) bracelets to locate inmates within the facility.These bracelets are substantially permanently associated with an inmate,are tamper-resistant, and house a transmitter used to identify andlocate the wearer.

Embodiments of the present invention adapt the aforementioned RFIDbracelets (e.g., all the RFID bracelets or a subset of the RFIDbracelets) to include a detection device. The detection device maycomprise any detection device suitable for detecting one or morewireless devices (e.g., such as cellular telephones, PDAs, wirelessnetwork devices, two-way pagers, press-to-talk PCS devices, etcetera),including wireless communication node 240 of embodiments of the presentinvention. Accordingly, a detection device will be disposed in very nearproximity to various inmates and thus opportunity to detect anon-registered wireless device is increased. Moreover, as the RFIDbracelet is tamper resistant, the detection device is affordedprotection even if its presence is known to the inmate population. Atransmitter of the RFID bracelet may be leveraged to providecommunication of information with respect to wireless devices detectedby the detection device. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitterfor use exclusively by the detection device may be utilized. Embodimentsof the invention provide for a physical link between the detectiondevice and a host system, such as to periodically download informationfrom the detection device and/or to upload to the detection device.

Information provided by the aforementioned detection devices may beutilized according to embodiments of the present invention to optimizeoperation of an information processing platform with respect to wirelessdevices within a controlled environment facility. For example, adetection device may provide information with respect to an identity ofa wireless device (e.g., an ESN, MIN, electronic address, URL, IPaddress, etcetera) in order for an information processing platform ofthe present invention to provide instructions to a wirelesscommunication network access point that call to and from the wirelessdevice are to be processed by the information processing platform.Additionally or alternatively, a detection device may provideinformation with respect to the location of a wireless device in orderfor infrastructure, such as wireless communication network accesspoints, wireless communication nodes, antennas, etcetera may be deployedor adjusted to intercept communications of the wireless device.

Embodiments of the invention have been described with reference toregistered and non-registered wireless communication devices.Registration of wireless communication devices for use in providingwireless communications in a controlled environment facility providesseveral advantages. For example, a particular individual (e.g.,prisoner) may be associated with a registered device for accounting,accountability, and privileges purposes. Moreover, requiringregistration of wireless devices may be utilized to control theparticular wireless devices used in the controlled environment facility,such as to prevent the use of certain features, technologies, etcetera.

Registration of a wireless device according to embodiments of theinvention may comprises presenting a user's wireless device (orappropriate information associated therewith, such as make, model, ESN,MIN, electronic address, software version, etcetera) to appropriatepersonnel for entry of information into information processing platform210. Alternatively, registration of a wireless device according toembodiments of the invention may comprise a user obtaining an approvedwireless communication device from a vendor approved by the controlledenvironment facility, such as a commissary provider.

According to embodiments of the invention, wireless communicationservices may continue to be offered and provided to residents of thecontrolled environment facility using a registered wirelesscommunication device by the service provider after the resident leavesthe controlled environment facility. Accordingly, not only may wirelesscommunications be facilitated in association with a controlledenvironment facility according to the present invention, but wirelesscommunications independent of the controlled environment facility mayalso be facilitated.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the invention asdefined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the presentapplication is not intended to be limited to the particular embodimentsof the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means,methods and steps described in the specification. As one will readilyappreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims areintended to include within their scope such processes, machines,manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

1. A system for locating wireless devices within a controlledenvironment facility, said system comprising: a multi-path mesh networkof wireless nodes, wherein said network of wireless nodes comprises aplurality of wireless nodes disposed to monitor at least a portion ofsaid controlled environment facility; and an information processingplatform in communication with said network of wireless nodes andoperable to process information provided by one or more of said wirelessnode, and provide location information specific to a wireless devicedisposed in said controlled environment facility.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein said one or more wireless nodes of said plurality of wirelessnodes is adapted to detect signals emitted from a plurality of wirelessdevice configurations.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said pluralityof wireless device configurations comprise at least two of a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, a wireless network device, atwo-way pager, and a press-to-talk personal communication servicesdevice.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein said signal comprises an REsignal and said monitoring comprises passively monitoring RF signalswithin said at least a portion of said controlled environment facility.5. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or more wireless node isadapted to wake up one or more neighboring wireless node upon detectionof a signal from said wireless device, said one or more neighboringwireless node being a part of said network of wireless nodes.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein said one or more wireless node and said oneor more neighboring wireless node corporate to route said data to saidinformation processing platform.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein saiddata is routed to said information processing platform via a gatewaywireless node.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or morewireless node is further adapted to alert one or more neighboringwireless node, upon detection of a signal from said wireless device saidone or more neighboring wireless node being a part of said network ofwireless nodes.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said one or morewireless node and said one or more neighboring wireless node are furtheradapted to collect data associated with said signal.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein said data comprises signal strength.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein said data comprises relative delay.
 12. The system ofclaim 9, wherein said data comprises information with respect to anapproximate location of said one or more wireless device.
 13. The systemof claim 1, wherein said information processing platform uses saidlocation of said one or more wireless device to optimize operation ofsaid information processing platform with respect to wireless deviceswithin said controlled environment facility.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein said optimizing comprises deploying additional wireless nodes instrategic locations of said controlled environment facility, saidadditional wireless nodes deployed as part of said network of wirelessnodes.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of wirelessnodes alternate between awake and sleep modes to conserve power.
 16. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said plurality of wireless nodes operateunder ZigBee communication protocols.
 17. The system of claim 1, whereinsaid plurality of wireless nodes are deployed within said controlledenvironment facility.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein said controlledenvironment facility comprises a prison facility.
 19. A method forlocating a wireless device within a controlled environment facility,said method comprising: detecting a signal emitted by a wireless deviceusing one or more wireless node disposed to monitor at least a portionof said controlled environment facility, wherein said one or morewireless node is part of a multi-path mesh network of wireless nodes;collecting data associated with said signal; and determining thelocation of said wireless device using said data.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising: deploying said one or more wireless nodewithin said controlled environment facility to detect said signal andcollect said data.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:waking up one or more neighboring wireless node in sleep mode using saidone or more wireless node, wherein said one or more neighboring wirelessnode are part of said network of wireless nodes.
 22. The method of claim19, further comprising: alerting one or more neighboring wireless nodeusing said one or more wireless node to prompt said one or moreneighboring wireless node to aid in locating said wireless device,wherein said one or more neighboring wireless node are part of saidnetwork of wireless nodes.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said dataassociated with said signal is collected by said one or more wirelessnode and said one or more neighboring wireless node.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein said data comprises signal strength.
 25. The method ofclaim 23, wherein said data comprises relative delay.
 26. The method ofclaim 23, wherein said one or more wireless node determine the locationof said wireless device using said data.
 27. The method of claim 23,further comprising: routing said data to an information processingplatform using said one or more wireless node and said one or moreneighboring wireless node.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein said datais routed to said information processing platform via a gateway wirelessnode.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein said information processingplatform determines the location of said wireless device using saiddata.
 30. The method of claim 19, wherein said plurality of wirelessnodes in said network of wireless nodes alternate between awake andsleep modes.
 31. The method of claim 19, wherein said plurality ofwireless nodes in said network of wireless nodes operate under theZigBee communications protocols.
 32. The method of claim 19, whereinsaid one or more wireless node are operable to detect a plurality ofwireless devices, said plurality of wireless devices comprising varioustypes of wireless devices.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein saidwireless devices comprise at least two of a cellular telephone, apersonal digital assistant, a wireless network device, a two-way pager,and a press-to-talk personal communication services device.
 34. Themethod of claim 19, wherein said controlled environment facilitycomprises a prison facility.
 35. A system for processing wirelesscommunications with respect to a controlled environment facilitycomprising a multi-path mesh network of a plurality of wireless nodesdisposed to monitor at least a portion of said controlled environmentfacility.
 36. The system of claim 35, wherein wireless nodes of saidplurality of wireless nodes are adapted to detect one or more wirelessdevice disposed in said controlled environment facility.
 37. The systemof claim 36, wherein said one or more wireless device comprises aplurality of wireless devices, said plurality of wireless devicescomprising various types of wireless devices.
 38. The system of claim37, wherein said wireless nodes are adapted to wake up one or moreneighboring wireless node, said one or more neighboring wireless nodebeing part of said network of wireless nodes.
 39. The system of claim37, wherein said wireless nodes are further adapted to alert one or moreneighboring wireless node to prompt said one or more neighboringwireless node to aid in locating said wireless device, said one or moreneighboring wireless node being part of said network of wireless nodes.40. A method for processing wireless communications with respect to acontrolled environment facility, said method comprising: detecting awireless device using one or more wireless node disposed to monitor atleast a portion of said controlled environment facility, wherein saidone or more wireless node is part of a multi-path mesh network ofwireless nodes deployed in association with said controlled environmentfacility; and intercepting a wireless communication placed from or tosaid wireless device using at least one wireless node disposed toilluminate at least a portion of said controlled environment facility,wherein said at least one wireless node is part of said network ofwireless nodes.
 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising: alertingone or more neighboring wireless node using said one or more wirelessnode to prompt said one or more neighboring wireless node to aid inlocating said wireless device, wherein said one or more neighboringwireless node is part of said network of wireless nodes.
 42. The methodof claim 41, further comprising: collecting data associated with saidsignal using said one or more wireless node and said one or moreneighboring wireless node.
 43. The method of claim 41, furthercomprising: determining the location of said wireless device using saidinformation processing platform, wherein said location of said wirelessdevice is used to facilitate said intercepting said wirelesscommunication placed from or to said wireless device.
 44. The method ofclaim 41, further comprising: controlling at least one aspect of saidintercepted wireless communication using said information processingplatform, said information processing platform providing communicationcontrol features unique to controlling communications associated with acontrolled environment facility, said controlling at least one aspect ofsaid wireless communication implementing a communication control featureof said communication control features.
 45. The method of claim 44,wherein said controlling at least one aspect of said wirelesscommunication comprises completing said wireless communication undercontrol of said communication processing platform.
 46. The method ofclaim 45, further comprising: at least one of, under control of saidcommunication processing platform, verifying said wireless communicationis being placed to an allowed number, recording at least a portion ofsaid wireless communication, monitoring at least a portion of saidwireless communication, locating a wireless device associated with saidwireless communication, and re-routing said wireless communication. 47.The method of claim 44, wherein said controlling at least one aspect ofsaid wireless communication comprises: blocking said wirelesscommunication under control of said communication processing platform.48. The method of claim 47, further comprising: at least one of, undercontrol of said communication processing platform, determining saidwireless communication is being placed to a disallowed number,determining said communication is being placed from an unauthorizedlocation, and determining said communication is being placed at anunauthorized time.